Texans left guard Chester Pitts called his arrest the result of a "huge misunderstanding" with Houston police, but an officer said the football player was uncooperative and initially refused to step out of his BMW after police chased him when he drove away from a traffic stop.

Pitts, 28, was released from jail on a $2,000 bond after being charged with evading arrest with a motor vehicle, a felony offense.

Nevertheless, he is expected to play in the Texans' game Sunday at Tennessee.

The Pearland resident was arrested about 5 p.m. Thursday after driving about a half mile down West Bellfort, defying an officer's orders for him to pull over and wait, said Houston police officer Gabe Ortiz.

Officers were targeting motorists making illegal left turns off Kirby on to West Bellfort and had stopped four other motorists besides Pitts when the incident occurred.

Son of police officer

Pitts pulled over as instructed and waited a minute or two before driving away, Ortiz said.

Officers then chased him down the block, where he pulled over again, but initially refused to step out of his car when told, Ortiz said.

Pitts was the only one among the five motorists stopped by police who drove away, Ortiz said.

"There were other vehicles stopped and pulled over — and he was the only one who drove off," Ortiz said.

Pitts, the son of a veteran police officer, apologized for his actions Friday, saying he did not intend to flout the officers' orders.

"Honestly, I'd like to apologize to the officers. It was clearly a misunderstanding," Pitts said. "I would never disrespect the law. My father has been a police officer for 30 years. I have the utmost respect for law enforcement. It was a huge, huge misunderstanding."

Pitts also apologized to his teammates, the Texans organization and team owner Bob McNair. Texans coach Gary Kubiak said he was disappointed.

"It's a distraction and we don't need distractions," said Kubiak, who said he is still gathering information about what led to Pitts' arrest. "But Chester's got a job to do. Myself and his teammates are expecting him to step up and play good football this weekend."

McNair also called the incident an apparent misunderstanding.

"I think he misunderstood some of the directions that had been given to him," McNair said. " ... I'm sorry that it happened, but Chester has never caused us a moment of trouble. He's always just lived a very good life and been a good example for everyone. He feels terrible for it."

Court date Monday

McNair said Pitts apparently thought the officers "were just waving him on," and said he believes the incident will prove to be a minor one.

"He apologized to the police officers, who obviously misinterpreted some of his actions, just as he misinterpreted some of theirs," McNair said. " ... He did not understand that they wanted him to stay there, let's just leave it at that."

McNair said he does not expect Pitts to face any internal disciplinary action.